News: Yorkdale Celebrates Fifty Years

One of Canada's most popular shopping destinations celebrates golden anniversary.

Coco Rocha models in the Yorkdale anniversary ad campaign

"When Yorkdale first opened its doors in 1964, we were the largest shopping centre in the world," said Claire Santamaria, General Manager of Yorkdale Shopping Centre in a news release. "Fifty years later, we can say that Yorkdale has helped transform Canada's retail landscape by being the number one destination for international retailers entering the Canadian market. We want to celebrate our golden anniversary as we continue growing to meet with the demand of shoppers and international retailers."

Yorkdale has planned a series of events to commemorate the milestone anniversary, including:

• a photo exhibit by Bryan Adams featuring Toronto's style mavens
• special Gold Collection limited edition items at retailers such as Michael Kors and MAC
• a golden anniversary gown commissioned from Lucian Matis will be displayed at Yorkdale and featured in an anniversary ad campaign featuring Canadian supermodel Coco Rocha
• the CN Tower will be illuminated in gold tonight to commemorate the anniversary

Yorkdale is in the midst of a  $331 million renovation and expansion which is adding almost 300,000 square feet of retail space including a new Nordstrom store. The expansion is slated to open in 2016.

[Image and press release via Yorkdale]

News: Sears Closes Flagship at Toronto Eaton Centre

Struggling retailer closes flagship Toronto store.

Sears Toronto Eaton Centre

This past Sunday Sears Canada closed the door on its Toronto Eaton Centre location, making way for Nordstrom which will open on the site in 2016.

Sears acquired the store in 1999 with its purchase of the bankrupt T. Eaton Company. It operated the store under the Eatons banner until 2002 when it converted the location to Sears.

The struggling department store retailer has been selling store leases as it reorients itself towards a suburban customer. Last year Sears announced it would be vacating their Toronto Eaton Centre store as part of a $400 million sale of store leases to Cadillac Fairview. Also closing this week was the Sears location at Sherway Gardens. Stores at Square One and Yorkdale will close next month.

Below are the flagship store's final days.

Sears Toronto Eaton Centre as seen from Yonge-Dundas Square

Looking into the escalator well on the lower level, Sears Toronto Eaton Centre

The counters are gone at the main level jewellery department, Sears Toronto Eaton Centre

Closing down the main level's cosmetics department, Sears Toronto Eaton Centre

All cleared out on the second level, Sears Toronto Eaton Centre

The empty escalator landing on the second level, Sears Toronto Eaton Centre

Looking for new homes, mannequins await shipment to other Sears stores

Countdown to the end at Sears Toronto Eaton Centre

Everything's for sale including the doors

The road ends here, though Sears corporate offices will remain at the store's uppermost floors